Early celebration leaves some peeved

Bill EllzeyColumnist

Published: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 9:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 9:51 p.m.

Unless you are among those who insist upon waiting until the official, calendar Fourth of July, you probably enjoyed as much of the Houma Independence Day Celebration as the weather permitted to take place.

I can hardly comment on that Saturday event, considering this was written Friday to meet my deadline. Anyway, since Thibodaux sticks to the calendar Fourth, an opportunity for a 2013 celebration is still possible.

Sacred date? Some Americans consider the date on which members of the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain of extreme importance.

Responding to publicity about Houma’s June 29 celebration of “July 4th,” Bernard Hargenrader, wrote, in a “letter to the Courier editor” of his disappointment at Terrebonne’s abandoning the traditional date:

“Why doesn’t Houma celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth as it should?” he wrote. “It seems that in the last few years the parish celebrates the Fourth when it is convenient. Does anyone in this parish think the Revolutionary War was a convenient war for the continental soldier? Does anyone think lives were lost or that the families of the soldiers suffered a loss?”

Agreed: The citizen planners of Houma’s celebration agree about the importance of the Revolutionary War, and invite the participation of Hargenrader and others in the planning for 2014.

Schedules and preparations for 2013 were pounded out in hours of meetings of an informal group calling itself Terrebonne Patriots, not by government officials or staff.

The date: Among the factors leading to a weekend before the Fourth date was Thibodaux’s longstanding tradition of keeping the “Fourth.” The Houma group planned extensive activities, including a parade, music, food and fireworks, without competing directly with Thibodaux.

The planners regret reading Hargenrader’s final decision: “My family will not be celebrating on June 29. We will be celebrating with the community of Thibodaux on July 4 as we all should.”

Old confusion: Curiously, the date of the nation’s birthday was unclear from the first. The Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775. The Second Continental Congress voted July 2, 1776, to break with Britain.

In a letter to his wife, Abigail, John Adams said:

“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America,” Adams wrote. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other ...”

Instead, the public seized on July 4, the date the congress approved the language of the declaration. Historians say it was as much as a month later before the declaration was signed.

Neglect? My account of passing a wrecked SUV with its driver, unharmed, trapped inside, brought a phone call from Eunice, an old friend. She did not understand that there were already scores of other drivers giving assistance. I did not stop because I was not needed.

Plan, map in hand: There is still time to evaluate storm evacuation routes. Study a good map and if you have the opportunity, test-drive the route you have chosen.

<p>Unless you are among those who insist upon waiting until the official, calendar Fourth of July, you probably enjoyed as much of the Houma Independence Day Celebration as the weather permitted to take place.</p><p>I can hardly comment on that Saturday event, considering this was written Friday to meet my deadline. Anyway, since Thibodaux sticks to the calendar Fourth, an opportunity for a 2013 celebration is still possible.</p><p>Sacred date? Some Americans consider the date on which members of the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain of extreme importance.</p><p>Responding to publicity about Houma's June 29 celebration of “July 4th,” Bernard Hargenrader, wrote, in a “letter to the Courier editor” of his disappointment at Terrebonne's abandoning the traditional date:</p><p>“Why doesn't Houma celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth as it should?” he wrote. “It seems that in the last few years the parish celebrates the Fourth when it is convenient. Does anyone in this parish think the Revolutionary War was a convenient war for the continental soldier? Does anyone think lives were lost or that the families of the soldiers suffered a loss?”</p><p>Agreed: The citizen planners of Houma's celebration agree about the importance of the Revolutionary War, and invite the participation of Hargenrader and others in the planning for 2014.</p><p>Schedules and preparations for 2013 were pounded out in hours of meetings of an informal group calling itself Terrebonne Patriots, not by government officials or staff.</p><p>The date: Among the factors leading to a weekend before the Fourth date was Thibodaux's longstanding tradition of keeping the “Fourth.” The Houma group planned extensive activities, including a parade, music, food and fireworks, without competing directly with Thibodaux.</p><p>The planners regret reading Hargenrader's final decision: “My family will not be celebrating on June 29. We will be celebrating with the community of Thibodaux on July 4 as we all should.”</p><p>Old confusion: Curiously, the date of the nation's birthday was unclear from the first. The Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775. The Second Continental Congress voted July 2, 1776, to break with Britain.</p><p>In a letter to his wife, Abigail, John Adams said:</p><p>“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America,” Adams wrote. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other ...”</p><p>Instead, the public seized on July 4, the date the congress approved the language of the declaration. Historians say it was as much as a month later before the declaration was signed.</p><p>Neglect? My account of passing a wrecked SUV with its driver, unharmed, trapped inside, brought a phone call from Eunice, an old friend. She did not understand that there were already scores of other drivers giving assistance. I did not stop because I was not needed.</p><p>Plan, map in hand: There is still time to evaluate storm evacuation routes. Study a good map and if you have the opportunity, test-drive the route you have chosen.</p><p>Responding? Contact </p><p>Bill Ellzey at 985-381-6256, at bill-ellzey@att.net, billellzey312@gmail.com, or c/o The Courier, P.O. Box 2717, Houma, LA 70361.</p>